Sunday, July 6, 2014

Where is the threat from non-Malays

lim guan eng
PETALING JAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has come under heavy criticism for his “inflammatory” remarks about a recurrence of a May 13 incident.

“He shocked the nation with his threats of (another May 13),” said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Muhyiddin recently said in Johor that Malaysia may witness another incident of bloodshed (May 13) if no efforts are made to preserve inter-ethnic harmony.

His remarks were reported in the Umno mouthpiece, Utusan Malaysia.
“Such inflammatory remarks show that Muhyiddin is only fit to be a role model for right-wing NGOs like Perkasa and Isma,” said Lim.
“He is completely unfit and unqualified to be a Deputy Prime Minister for all Malaysians.”
He added Muhyiddin built a reputation for himself as the poster boy of Perkasa and Isma when he proclaimed he is a Malay first and a Malaysian second.
Lim noted that the deputy Umno president has adopted a hostile attitude towards non-Muslims and non-Malays.
“He is recklessly blaming non-Malays and non-Muslims for causing ethnic ties to be strained as well as threatening them with May 13 riots and violence.”
Lim pointed out that Muhyiddin is unable to show proof that non-Malays or non-Muslim groups were carrying out acts of provocation against the Malays.
Instead, repeated provocation came from pro-Umno NGOs that went unpunished or were met without any protest from the BN government.
He cited Christians who have come under attack over the “Allah” issue and the seizure of Bibles.
“Christians protested peacefully and according to proper legal channels. (But) they became easy targets (for Malay NGOs) because they are the smallest of the minority religious groups.”
Lim said Malaysia has about 30 million people, with Muslims making up 61.3%, Buddhist (19.8%), Christians (9.2%), Hindus (6.3%), Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions (1.3%) and others (either no religion, other religions or no information) at 2.1%. The figures are based on a 2010 census.
Lim said that similarly non-Malays are easy targets because they are a minority, with Malays making 60.3% of the population, Chinese (22.9%) and Indians (7.1%).
He pointed out that the Chinese population of 22.9% has shrunk to half from its peak in 1957 when it was 45%.
“So where is the threat to Malays and Muslims from non-Muslims and non-Malays? The real threat comes from abuse of power, mediocrity, corruption and cronyism.”